The Presidency has acknowledged the possibility that terrorist sympathisers may have infiltrated some of Nigeria’s security agencies. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, made the remark during The Link Up Podcast, a panel discussion hosted by EchoRoom and released on Friday while responding to questions about insecurity and the fight against terrorism.
Bwala said it would be unrealistic to completely dismiss the possibility of a few individuals within the Nigerian Army or the Nigeria Police Force working with criminal or terrorist groups. He explained that cases involving compromised security personnel had been recorded in the past, leading to the arrest of some officers linked to terrorism-related activities.
According to him, the presence of a few bad actors within security institutions is not a challenge unique to Nigeria. He noted that similar incidents have occurred in other countries, where individuals trusted with sensitive responsibilities were later found to have acted against national security interests.
The presidential aide said the Federal Government is aware of such risks and has already put measures in place to identify and deal with anyone found collaborating with terrorist groups. However, he stated that details of those strategies cannot be made public because revealing them could weaken ongoing security operations.
Bwala maintained that security agencies remain committed to protecting the country despite the actions of a few compromised individuals. He said the government would continue strengthening intelligence gathering, internal monitoring and other security measures aimed at preventing infiltration and improving the fight against terrorism.
His comments come as Nigeria continues efforts to tackle insurgency, banditry and kidnapping in different parts of the country. The government has repeatedly stated that improving intelligence, increasing security personnel and strengthening cooperation among agencies remain part of its strategy to restore peace and reduce criminal activities nationwide.